You're Dropping Out of Rydell?

Episode Information

Season	Episode
1	9

Airdate

May 25, 2023

Written by

Phylicia Pearl Mpasi

Directed by

Ruben Garcia

Episode Guide

Synopsis[]

A storm hits Rydell as everyone deals with the fallout of the dance. The Pink Ladies each get what they've always wanted, but find it's not all it's cracked up to be. Jane tries to undo the damage she's caused while Olivia considers a big decision. Nancy vows to keep the gang together but when things look hopeless, she gets help from an unexpected source. With the school in a blackout, the future of the Pink Ladies seems more uncertain than ever.

Plot[]

A storm rages in Rydell and over the Frosty Palace. Mr. and Mrs. Nakagawa worried about Nancy, who had called her friends all weekend but no one answered. The radio reported on the brawl at the dance, so Nancy turned it off. Mrs. Nakagawa cheerfully told Nancy that her friends had arrived, and a hopeful Nancy turned only to find Edith and Peg. They broke up with their boyfriends Bill and Roy because they forgot their anniversaries and ran when the cops came. They wanted to be friends with Nancy again. The trio sat in a booth as Nancy's parents served them. Edith and Peg laughed and gushed, but Nancy looked between them as anger boiled over. She jumped over the table. She already had three best friends who wouldn't leave her for two boys whose names Nancy mispronounced. The girls thought the Pink Ladies broke up, but Nancy smirked as they were about to get back together. She strutted out as her mom reminded her she had to finish her shift. She murmured to let her do this, put the jacket over her shoulder, and walked out.

Jane stood in McGee's office and assumed this was about the dance, though it wasn't. McGee presented her the gavel because she was officially Rydell's new girl president. The details of the election came to light and they thought it only fair that Jane take her rightful position. Principal Nicholson asked her to pass on his apologies and he hoped there were “no hard feelings, sweetheart”. She reminded Jane of the big responsibility and hoped she would use the gavel wisely. Jane left as McGee silently celebrated the victory. Jane emerged from the office and saw Principal Nicholson in his office with the Aldridge and Valdovinos families. Olivia, who was at the front desk, told Jane that Richie spent two nights in jail. They weren't going to press charges but were both getting expelled. Her parents were sending Richie off to military school, which shocked Jane. Jane tried to comfort her friend but Olivia refused. She saw the gavel and that Jane got what she wanted. Buddy and Mr. Aldridge came out of the office. Mr. Aldridge shouted for Nicholson to lose his number and that he'd have a hard time trying to run for superintendent now. Jane apologized to Buddy, who didn't say anything when he left. She looked over and saw Richie hug Olivia before the family left.

Buddy looked at the trophy case in disbelief that this was his last day at Rydell. Dick planned to send him to Cliffton in Connecticut. By the time Buddy came back, everyone would have forgotten about the ordeal. Buddy thought his dad hated that place. For better or worse, it made Dick the man he was today. It was the best thing for Buddy, who accused Dick of doing what was best for himself and his campaign.

Cynthia opened her locker to find a note that read: “Cynthia, had to go. Won't be needing this anymore but I think it looked better on you anyway. Richie.” She reached inside and took out his T-Birds jacket.

Meanwhile, in Home Economics, Miss Adcock instructed her students on jelly rolls. Rosemary and the Soc girls turned a snide comment toward Susan. Dot told Miss Adcock that her doctor didn't want her to do any task that required depth perception. Adcock gave her laundry duty instead. Over at the sewing table, Nancy asked Olivia to help Jane with her sewing machine as she faked not knowing how it worked. Olivia told her it was a terrible try and left. Jane appreciated Nancy's try but didn't think there was any point. Cynthia arrived, tardy, and in Richie's T-Birds jacket. She had better things to do and strutted over to the kitchen. Nancy confronted her about the jacket. She already had a gang and they had to be the ones to keep it together while the others fought. Cynthia recapped how Richie was being sent away soon and Olivia blamed Jane. Cynthia didn't see a way back from that. Nancy thought that even if they lost Olivia, the others could still be Pink Ladies. Cynthia wasn't sure because now that it was all over, it seemed kind of crazy for her to be a pink lady. She told Nancy they could still pal around and left when the bell rang.

Potato, Gil, and Shy Guy read their letters from Richie about his leave. Potato wished he would have said goodbye. Gil knew he wasn't gone yet and they would sneak him out tonight to give him one last hurrah before he left. Shy Guy knew the T-Birds would never be the same. Gil half-heartedly knocked books out of Orson's hands and the others pushed him around. Gil told them to let him go as it wouldn't help. Orson was sorry about Richie and Cynthia interrupted in the jacket. She explained that Richie wanted her to have it. Gil apologized as she couldn't wear it. Because that's what they wore and mockingly asked what the society pages would say. He walked over to her, put his arm around her shoulders, and she teased him back. Potato welcomed her to the gang while Gil admitted she should have gotten one a long time ago. He's sorry she had to get it like this. Shy Guy told her to take it off and Gil told him “Down boy” as Richie gave it to her so it's all copacetic. Shy Guy didn't care - he didn't want her in the gang. If she was in, he was out and stormed away. Cynthia chased after him but he ignored her.

They passed Buddy and the Socs who had just learned Buddy was sent to Connecticut. Neil was glad he went out swinging and was a legend. Wally promised to call him every weekend and Susan would write to him every day. Rosemary snidely betted and everyone chuckled. Buddy didn't know what he was doing as he didn't need that stuff. Wally asked for his Mickey Mantle baseball card, and Hazel scolded him quietly. Buddy told him to go for it, raid the whole thing because once he was gone he would be gone. So they just say goodbye and not drag it out. He gave Wally his locker key as he walked off.

Olivia sought comfort in Mr. Daniels over Richie being sent away. Her parents thought it would straighten him out but she knew it would just crush him. She thanked Daniels for being there for her the other night and not taking advantage of the situation. He wouldn't dream of it. He knew she was a good Catholic girl. She scoffed as that's not what everyone at the school thought. He insisted they might not know her, but he did.

Nancy and Potato made out in a supply closet until she abruptly ended it as it wasn't working. He worried he did it wrong but it was a solid seven out of ten like always. She didn't get it as usually kissing helped tame the hormones that clouded her brain, but she still couldn't figure out how to save her friends. He thought they might come around, but she had friends drift away before. The longer this went on the less likely it was the pink ladies would get back together. He smiled as they were the two smartest people in the school and could figure it out. The bell rang for the last period, which meant they had to think fast. She grabbed his jacket and kissed him against the rack.

McGee mopped up water from the leaky roof while she talked on the phone with Superintendent Fletcher. She told Nicholson that the unprecedented rain had caused mudslides, so they had to keep the students there for safety. Nicholson asked if Fletcher asked about him, which confused McGee as he didn't. He realized they would be stuck with all the kids until the storm was over. She had a plan to keep everyone in their homerooms with their teachers and everyone would require a hall pass. The sound of the office door slamming shut cut her off. She mimicked Nicholson to tell herself it was a great plan and that she would be superintendent of all the schools in the world. She thanked the imaginary Nicholson and exclaimed that she worked so hard.

Olivia and Mr. Daniels talked in his classroom. This reminded her of old times. When they talked about books they loved, books he loved but she secretly hated and lied to him about. He was surprised and she admitted to Walden by “Henry David throw yourself in the pond already”. They bantered playfully and he groaned as she must have liked him to pretend. She took a deep breath and admitted that she does really like him. A knock on the door made Olivia hide while Virginia gave him her article. Once she was gone, he gave Olivia the all-clear. That felt like old times too. She hated sneaking around but it wasn't like they could move to Walden Pond. He offered they should just get married and she played along until he offered again. McGee rang the xylophone to signal an announcement.

In the gym, Jane posed with her gavel for Orson, who took her picture for The Rydell Review. McGee explained that, due to the in-climate weather, and to ensure the safety of everyone there at Rydell, no one was permitted to leave the school grounds. Nancy made out with Potato in the closet, Shy Guy hurried down the steps as Cynthia shouted for him over the banister, and then the power went out. Nancy cut off the kiss and gasped happily while Potato struck his lighter for light. She explained they had more time to fix the Pink Ladies now. All they needed was a plan, but she was never the one who came up with the plans. Jane and Olivia always came up with dumb plans. Potato eagerly tried to open the door but it was locked. He assured her it was okay as he had a pocket knife. He handed her the lighter and went to work on the lock. She grinned evilly as she had a dumb plan.

McGee tried to get the microphone to work when she saw students run in the hall. She gripped a mop and chased students back into their homerooms. She grumbled over herding cats.

Cynthia and Gil got into his car and he handed her a warm glove-box beer for their newest T-Bird. She gleefully celebrated finally being initiated. They tapped beers then took long swigs. She had some great times with the girls but it was Feelings Central over there. It was nice to kick back and have some beers with the guys again. Gil was quiet for a long moment before he agreed. It was just that his best friend was gone, the girl he puppy-dogged for years, who he thought he had a shot with, turned out he didn't. Cynthia thought he still had a shot with Olivia, but he thought she had Mr. Daniels. She assured him that Daniels was old and bald. Gil chuckled as he wasn't bald, but Cynthia knew he would be, she could tell. He sighed and looked over at her. Daniels was tall, and she conceded that he was. She told him to talk to Olivia and tell her how he felt. She then declared there was no more talk about feelings or even saying the word. Gil agreed but then turned to her, as he thinks she hurt Shy Guy's heart. She just didn't like him that way. He didn't know what happened at that dance but she had to make it right. She agreed to talk to Shy Guy about his heart if Gil stopped being a candy ass and talked to Olivia about his. They toasted and downed their beers. They agreed to one more beer first.

Olivia and Daniels talked about what their marriage would look like. She thought he would get fired, but there were other jobs. This wasn't the first time something like this happened. It would be a big scandal for a few months, and then it would blow over. Her parents would never go for it as she was sixteen. Her parents were seventeen when they got married. He offered to talk to them. She would have to drop out as she couldn't be married and go to high school. She asked if he was serious about this, and he was. He told her to take her time as it was a big decision. It was also hers to make.

McGee gathered the hall monitors to tell them today would be the greatest test they would ever face. It would not be easy and maybe a living nightmare. They would be ignored, despised, and they would get spit on. But they would serve the school. They would keep kids in their homerooms for their safety. They are hall monitors and have chosen this job because it was an honorable one. They got a very minor amount of power over their peers. Today, they would use that power. She barked for Jane who snapped out of her funk to come to attention. As president, Jane was in charge of strategy. McGee walked off with her mop. Jane turned to her monitors. She didn't know and told them to just go, so they all headed in disorganized directions.

Jane walked down the hall as students emerged around her. She didn't pay them attention as she sang about having got everything she wanted, but couldn't see the point because she was alone. She danced with the students as she realized her success didn't feel right. Nancy and Potato got out of the supply closet. She had a chance to set things right and walked past students and into a classroom. Cynthia, lit by the thespians, finally had her jacket. The four girls sang in perfect harmony from their different locations. The girls sang about their fantasies being different in reality. As they moved through the school, they didn't realize how many times they crossed paths and were connected. The song ended when Jane stood at the podium in the gym where her student council gavel was held.

Jane leaned on the podium when Buddy approached. She apologized for the dance and the fight as it was all her fault. He thought she gave herself too much credit for once. He came drunk, threw punches, and none of this would have happened if he hadn't lied about them to his friends. They would still be together. She admitted they might be. But she wouldn't have had the Pink Ladies or Richie. Buddy admitted he got what he deserved, but so did she. Being president was the last thing she cared about right now. He got that but sure hoped she didn't give up because that was what made her Jane. They hugged then he walked off the stage and she looked over at the gavel. She picked it up and hurried off.

McGee tried to open a locked door and instructed students to go back to their homerooms and boys not to run in the halls. Jane found McGee as she wanted to advocate for Richie and Buddy to stay at the school. McGee wished she could help, but the incident made Nicholson look bad, and his image was the most important thing to him because he wanted to run for superintendent. Jane ran off and McGee opened the door to find all the teachers together. Technically, they were off the clock. They closed the door so she walked off, dejected.

In the gym, students goofed around and Hazel found Buddy in the bleachers. She knew what he felt. He was jealous of his friends who got to stay at Rydell where everything was the same for them while he had to change. She felt the same way when she moved. She knew he would regret it if he left on a sour note. He asked how she was always so right and smart. She just knew him, that is all. He agreed and the tension between them was palpable until thunder interrupted. Buddy quickly mentioned that she was with Wally now, who was great. She awkwardly agreed that he was the greatest.

Olivia sat alone in the home economics classroom. She belted out her feelings, and she wondered if she was in love or just afraid to be alone. She touched a baby carriage, held a bouquet, wore a makeshift veil, and admitted that she was in love. She wondered if it was enough. She lay on the table just as Gil knocked on the door. He was looking for her and they stood close together until Potato barged in with a letter from Nancy. Olivia told Gil she would be back and quickly left. Gil turned to Potato and slapped the sides of his face then left.

Cynthia found Shy Guy and confronted him about what had him so upset. He was upset about the dance and she minimized it to a bad date and called him sensitive. He turned to her as he wasn't sensitive. He reminded her that she said he wasn't a real man and didn't think she should say that even if that's what everyone thinks about him. She insisted they didn't, but he snapped back that he's so shy no one even remembers his real name. He didn't need her to throw it in his face. Potato ran up with a letter from Nancy, and she took off after reading it. He smiled and then followed her.

Jane knocked on Nicholson's door to talk about how she can help with his campaign for superintendent. While everyone thought he was an ineffective bureaucrat, they respected rehabilitation more than penalization. He should make the boys stay at Rydell and clean up their acts. He'd look like a hero and a reformer. He called it a dumb idea. Voters didn't want a softie, they wanted someone tough on delinquency. He slammed the door on her. She walked off and Potato found her.

Jane ran into the bathroom where Nancy was locked in a stall. She pretended to sob then emerged. She locked them all in there until they worked out their problems. She shouted for Potato, who guarded the door from the outside. Cynthia thought something was wrong, and Nancy assured her it was. They were all letting the Pink Ladies fall apart when they needed each other the most. Olivia and Jane needed to talk, but they weren't interested. Nancy cut the trio off to deliver brutal honesty. Her harsh opinions hurt their feelings even more and caused a deeper rift. Jane, Olivia, and Cynthia had more important things to do and pushed on the door until they knocked Potato down. They headed in different directions. Nancy stormed out and Potato insisted they'd find another way. She didn't need anyone and flicked him the pen as she emotionally walked to the exit. She looked at the happy friends around her, threw her jacket to the side, and walked out of Rydell High.

Buddy gave his belongings to his friends as his farewell. He gave Wally the baseball card since he had always been there for him. Wally promised to call him in Connecticut, and they did a group hug. Buddy looked over to Hazel who winked. He asked for Susan and Rosemary made a snide comment about her being under the bleachers. He told them it was enough and walked away. Wally put his arm around Hazel. Neil tried to convince him to trade his Mickey Mantle card for the shoe shine brush.

Cynthia found Shy Guy sitting alone and apologized for the dance. She knew what it felt like to not feel like the others. She didn't mean to make him feel that way too. He always thought if she liked him she would be his girl, and he wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb. It just didn't feel right to him and he knew. It didn't feel right to her either. She sat down next to him. She decided to stop thinking about why she felt something, and just feel it. He playfully nudged her - she can be a T-Bird if she wanted. She chuckled as, after all that, it just didn't feel right. She thanked him anyway and called him Edward. They playfully punched each other's shoulders.

Nancy rummaged through the cash register of the Frosty Palace as she asked the Rydell Train Station for the next bus to New York. A voice interrupted her and she looked up to see her guardian angel, the stunning Angel of Fashion. He told her not to leave Rydell. She was ready to leave this dump to go where she would be appreciated. He found it hilarious and started his song about how she couldn't run away. They argued through the song, but he got across his point that she wasn't ready for NYC yet. She was needed at Rydell where she could make a difference, and most importantly, she still needed her friends. She was used to brutal honesty, having given it to her friends earlier. Before the Angel could leave, he needed her to be brutally honest with herself, not just others. The song ended when he floated above the air and impaled himself with a sewing needle, which sent him through flames that opened on the ground. The storm passed, the lights came on, and Nancy returned the money. She ran out of the store.

Jane found McGee sobbing and the woman apologized. She couldn't do it all alone anymore, it was too much. She laughed at the idea of adult help. She asked multiple times, made requests through official channels, and nothing worked. Jane suggested she go through some unofficial channels. In a fair world, they'd get what they needed from the powers that be. In this world, sometimes they had to color outside the lines. It just wasn't how McGee operated, Jane hugged McGee because she helped her realize something. She also looked like she needed it. The lights came on after.

Buddy entered the home economics room where Susan stood alone. She waited for everyone to clear out as she couldn't take more jokes about being a tramp. He came to say goodbye and to give her his jacket, as a friend. He thanked her for running his campaign and for being his first. He's the only friend she has left at Rydell and is leaving. If there was any way to avoid it, he would. She held the jacket close and watched him leave.

Cynthia ran through the halls to try and catch Lydia, but Jane intercepted Cynthia first. Nancy ran up looking for Olivia. Nancy took back all of what she said because none of it was true. Jane admitted she was right about her, as the Pink Ladies changed her for the better. Cynthia admitted she wasn't a T-Bird, as this wasn't the jacket she wanted to wear. While it was crazy to be a Pink Lady, Cynthia compared it to the Boston Red Sox who are neither Red nor Sox, but still a team. They made Nancy apologize anyway. She did need the Pink Ladies because, while they fell in love with Richie, Buddy, Mr. Daniels, and Shy Guy, she had a love story too - the Pink Ladies. Jane loved them too and so did Cynthia. They hugged tightly and Nancy tightened it to warn them this was a one-time thing. If they told anyone about her vulnerable nature she would deny it until the day she died. The T-Birds walked up as Gil looked for Olivia too. Jane wanted to find Olivia and Richie. She wanted to find a way to keep Richie at Rydell. Since the adults won't help, they'll have to do it their own way. Gil grinned and offered to drive. As they left, Nancy tried to talk to Potato, but he blew her off. Nancy solemnly followed then grabbed her pink ladies' jacket.

Nicholson whistled on his way out of the office. McGee stopped him. She would do anything for this school but was only one person, she couldn't do it alone. He hoped she wasn't about to ask him to take on some of her duties. She dismissed him as he wouldn't last two seconds. She started to ask politely again then demanded an assistant or would quit. She told him good night and whistled on her way out. He looked around, puzzled as to what got into her.

Gil pulled up to Olivia's house and everyone hurried out and into the house. Olivia pulled them into the other room. She cut off Nancy and pointed to the kitchen, where her parents talked with Mr. Daniels. Her father shook his hand. Gil asked what he was doing there. He was asking for her parents' blessing as they were getting married. Jane asked where Richie was and there was no way he was for this. Olivia thought she already knew. Her parents put him on a bus that afternoon, and he was gone. Gil scoffed and left the house - Shy Guy and Potato followed. Leonard called for Olivia who told her friends they should leave. Jane tearfully looked at Olivia before she left.

Jane sat on her bed, crying, while Nancy and Cynthia talked. They draped Richie's jacket over Jane's shoulders, as Cynthia thought it belonged to her. She cried on Cynthia's shoulder while Nancy tried to soothe her. They had no idea what to do but knew one thing - she was Jane Facciano. And Jane Facciano never gave up. Jane stood from the bed, walked to the window, and adjusted the jacket. She eventually smiled confidently.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano
Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia Valdovinos
Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia Zdunowski
Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy Nakagawa
Shanel Bailey as Hazel Robertson
Johnathan Nieves as Richie Valdovinos
Jason Schmidt as Buddy Aldridge
Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Wally Winslow
Jackie Hoffman Assistant Principal McGee
Madison Thompson as Susan St. Clair

Guest Starring[]

Justin Tranter as Angel of Fashion
Nicholas McDonough as Gil Rizzo
Maximo Salas as Shy Guy
Alexis Sides as Potato
Josette Halpert as Dot
Charlotte Kavanagh as Rosemary
Niamh Wilson as Lydia
Chris McNally as Leonard Daniels
Danny Mac as Principal Nicholson
Dylan Sloane as Neil
Todd Thomson as Dick Aldridge
Mayumi Yoshida as Mrs. Nakagawa
Kevan Ohtsji as Mr. Nakagawa
Juana Lerma Juarez as Irene Valdovinos
Michael Scholar, Jr. as Raul Valdovinos

Co-Starring[]

Cheyenne Rouleau as Miss Adcock
John Prowse as Coach Wade
Scott Swan as Mr. Ford
Abbygale Chung as Lucille
Lola Clare as Pearl
CJ Damaso as Maria
Sarah Formosa as Edith
Summer Lynn Gillespie as Polly
Kalli Hu as Peg
Kenya Jordan as Virginia
Matt Kennedy as Orson
Andrew Kyrzyk as PR
Victor Lau as Floyd
Dominique Mailloux as Ellen
Ryan McEwen as Roy
Julien Naud as Arthur
Cole Neumeier as Bill
Emilee Nimetz as Alice
Sam Scherzer as Gus
Aidan Springle as Ernie
Zac Vran as Irving
Rachael Withers as Geraldine

Soundtrack[]

Title	Performer(s)	Notes
Face to Face	Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Tricia Fukuhara, Ari Notartomaso	The Pink Ladies realized they got everything they wanted, but it didn't feel right.
I'm In Love	Cheyenne Isabel Wells	Olivia struggled with her decision to marry Mr. Daniels.
Brutal Honesty	Justin Tranter, Tricia Fukuhara	Nancy was visited by her guardian angel. The T-Birds and remaining Pink Ladies made a plan to save Richie.

Notes and Trivia[]

Nancy's visit from the Angel of Fashion pays tribute to the Teen Angel that appears to Frenchy in the original Grease film.
This is also marks the first episode where cast member Johnathan Nieves, who portrays Richie Valdovinos, was absent. While the characters back was shown, Johnathan's face was not. There were conflicting reports after the airing of the season on whether or not a stand-in was used to film the scene.

Gallery[]

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Screencaps[]

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